How are County Commissioner Districts
Determined?
How are Unplanned Vacancies on the Commission
Filled?
What Constitutes a Quorum at Commission
Meetings?
How Are Commissioners Elected?
How is a Chair Selected?
How Can I Contact the County Commissioners?
Disclaimer
How are County Commissioner
Districts Determined?
The State
Legislature establishes an Apportionment Commission which
reconsiders which towns are located in which commissioner
district every ten years. This process was last carried out in
2003.
People from each
county can submit a redistricting plan to the State Legislature
up to thirty days after the Apportionment Commission has been
called together.
The
Apportionment Commission's recommendations must be ratified by
two thirds of the State Legislature and the Governor.
Should the
Legislature fail to reach consensus before the constitutionally
appointed time, the State Supreme Court will wade into the issue
and provide a final redistricting plan.
The public is
invited to submit any redistricting proposals it may have to the
Supreme Court, for consideration.
(30-A, MRSA sec 65).
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How are Unplanned Vacancies on the
Commission Filled?
If a county
commissioner has moved away, is ill, or decides to resign his
post, the Governor is required to fill that post. Elections will
be held in that district on the date of the next two-year
election.
If a nominee for
the office of commissioner is unable to continue his election
bid, the Governor must replace him with a member of the same
political party.
(30-A, MRSA, sec 63)
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What Constitutes a Quorum at Commission
Meetings?
A quorum, as
defined by state law, is a majority of the commissioners. If
fewer than two fail to make a meeting, the meeting is adjourned
until a later date. If no commissioners are available to meet,
the county clerk can adjourn the meeting.
(30-A, sec. 72)
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How Are Commissioners Elected?
Each county
commissioner must be a resident of the district they seek to
represent. County commissioners are elected on the Tuesday
following the first Monday in each even numbered year.
(30-A, MRSA, sec 61)
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How is A Chair Selected?
The Chair is
elected to a one year term at the first Commission meeting in
January.
(30-A, MRSA, sec 61)
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How Can I Contact the County Commissioners?
You may reach
the County Commissioners Office at 207-255-3127 during regular
office hours.
The Office of
the County Commission is open between 8AM and 4PM, Monday thru
Friday, except for State and Federal holidays.
The County
offices are located at 47 Court Street in Machias.
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DISCLAIMER:
Information presented on this page was summarized
from the Maine Revised Statutes, Annotated, and is
presented as is, and therefore does not
constitute legal advice. For legal advice,
please consult a qualified attorney.
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